September 2017

September 18, 2017

Join the downtown merchants for fun street fair and sidewalk sale, Friday (9/22) and Saturday (9/23) from noon - 6:00 PM. Over 25 retailers will set up outside sales tables and racks with marked down merchandise! Plus over 20 restaurants will have local tastes and bites for sale. Participating stores will stay open Thursday (9/21) evening 'til 9:00PM for your added shopping pleasure! Help boost the Charlottesville downtown mall economy and take part in this special event, coinciding with the Tom Tom Founders Festival.

September 13, 2017

in light of the tragic events that occurred just steps from our shop on August 12, rock paper scissors created this simple heart as a symbol of community, love, kindness and hope for our beautiful town. our goal was to spread a message of unity and grace as our community heals. due to a strong community response, we have created several items for sale that now carry the teal C'ville Heart, including t-shirts, tote bags, bumper stickers, post cards, and window clings.

we also wanted a way to give back to our beloved community and help others do the same. 50% of gross sales for all items with the teal C'ville Heart will be donated to the CACF Heal Charlottesville Fund. our collective effort is making an impact and we are honored to have the chance to support the CACF and the work they are doing to heal Charlottesville.

the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation was established in 1967 as an engine for positive change in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson and Orange. they work with local residents, non-profits, as well as public and private organizations to facilitate philanthropy and improve the quality of life in our area.

learn more about the CACF Heal Charlottesville Fund:

In recent months, the Charlottesville community has experienced a series of terrorist acts and intimidation by white supremacists intended to instill fear and send a message of hatred and bigotry. These acts have deeply hurt, shocked and frightened many residents.

The Community Foundation has established the Heal Charlottesville Fund to support both immediate needs and longer-term reconciliation efforts. Depending on the level of resources available, the Fund will support some or all of the opportunities below:

1. Immediate Assistance and StabilizationThe Foundation will connect local mental health providers with residents seeking trauma counseling and mental health services, and will support victims of the car attack who may need assistance with medical expenses. Working with law enforcement and leaders of neighborhoods under threat of potential ongoing attacks, we will identify and support areas where additional crisis intervention would be helpful.

2. Acknowledgement, Community Dialogue and ReconciliationIt is critical that the community acknowledges and works to understand what has happened in Charlottesville, not only as it relates to this summer’s rallies, marches, and violent attacks, but also the larger picture of both historical and ongoing white supremacy and systemic and institutional racism in our own community.

We will engage with leading experts and facilitators who can design and guide our conversations to generate honest, two-way dialogue about challenging topics that results in empathy and deeper relationships among people holding different viewpoints. The voices of residents and community leaders, particularly those who have been historically disenfranchised and excluded, will be integral to this community dialogue.

3. Restoration and HealingThrough an authentic dialogue and reconciliation process, our community can identify actions or investments that will meaningfully acknowledge and ease the pain that many have suffered. We will work toward solutions that seek to achieve equitable outcomes and increased opportunities for disenfranchised and marginalized communities, including workforce programs, scholarships and other activities that begin to address disparities stemming from racism and bigotry.

We will make funds available for nonprofits and community organizations to undertake their own efforts to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organizations.

4. Fund Leadership and Decision-makingA committee of six to eight individuals will oversee the Fund and direct allocations to reconciliation activities and the resulting restoration and healing efforts. The committee will include experts in community reconciliation processes, individuals whose communities may have undergone similar processes, and authentic, local community leaders who are knowledgeable about what different constituencies need and want.

5. CommunicationsThe broader community will receive communications about how work is evolving, who is involved and how people can engage. Additionally, regular progress reports will be provided to donors and key constituencies as the multi-year effort unfolds.